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Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Claim About James Harden's Playoff Performance

James Harden's first playoff impression with the Philadelphia 76ers hasn't necessarily been ideal. As the Sixers need Harden to step up and help take some of
Justin Grasso|
Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Claim About James Harden's Playoff Performance
Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Claim About James Harden's Playoff Performance

James Harden's first playoff impression with the Philadelphia 76ers hasn't necessarily been ideal. As the Sixers need Harden to step up and help take some of the load off of Joel Embiid's back on the offensive end, the ten-time All-Star hasn't been as effective as the Sixers would like him to be.

Five games in, Harden has averaged 37-percent from the field and under 40-percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game. While Harden's nine assists per game have been critical as the Sixers needed a playmaking point guard as Tyrese Maxey is still developing, the superstar's 18 points per game in 40 minutes of action isn't cutting it.

Some speculate that Harden's hamstring might be affecting his play right now. Others speculate that Harden's best days are simply behind him. For ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, he makes a bold claim that Harden is healthy and still has it but is actually looking regressed because he wants the Sixers to make a critical change.

Stephen A's Wild Claim

"If things don’t work out, Doc Rivers is gonna be gone and Mike D’Antoni is gonna be in there. Who wants Mike D’Antoni as the coach? We all know. Daryl Morey is one of them. James Harden is another. Is that gonna happen if James Harden is looking all-world? Is that gonna happen if Philadelphia’s winning…What I’m saying to you is this: James Harden. You can talk about he’s struggling all you want to. All I’m saying is can we ask the question? Is he really this inefficient? I’ve never seen it." h/t Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire

Rumors in the past have hinted that the Sixers could replace Doc Rivers with former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni if Rivers fails to meet expectations in Philadelphia. While there haven't been any indications that could happen, Stephen A. Smith seemingly bought into those rumors as he's under the impression that Harden and Daryl Morey both want a reunion with the former Sixers assistant.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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